Irene L. (Erickson) Croteau, 84, of New Bedford died Tuesday February 5, 2008 at St. Luke's Hospital after a long illness. She was the wife of the late Joseph W. "Gene" Croteau.
Born and raised in Fairhaven, the daughter of the late Eric and Annie (Rooney) Erickson, she lived in New Bedford most of her life.
Mrs. Croteau was formerly employed by the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind and the Division of Employment Security.
She was a graduate of Fairhaven High School. She was a member of the Hawthorn Oncology Support Group. A gifted artist, she was known for her creative talents in painting, singing, and piano playing. Her sense of humor and her smile were legendary.
Survivors include six children, Linda Lombardi of Westport, Michele Audette of New Bedford, Dianne Cornwell and her husband Daryl of Northfield, Marybeth Vargas and her husband Manuel of Fairhaven, Diane Malaguti and Robert Croteau and his wife Marianne, all of Florida; two brothers, Eric Erickson and his wife Irene of Fairhaven, and William Erickson of Florida; three sisters, Doris Armitage and her husband Jim of Connecticut, Barbara Peckham of Easton, and Elvera Campanella of Fairhaven; 19 grandchildren, Dr. Debroah Schneider, Victor "Jim" Schneider IV, Pamela McCullough, Kristine Hancock, Theresa Wiuff, Peter Lombardi II, Laura Lombardi, Scott Audette, Heather Desrosier, Sarah Salls, Melissa Seaman, Daniel Salls, Allyson Salls, Jennifer Houle, Katherine Vargas, Matthew Vargas, Jennifer Vargas, Michael Malaguti, and Jocelyn Pacheco; 19 great-grandchildren; her brother-in-law, Stanley Wojcik; her sisters-in-law, Yvonne Dupuis, Cecile Oliver, Madeline Methia, and Evelyn Teixeira; and many nieces, nephews and good friends.
She was the mother of the late Victor "Bobby" Schneider, III and sister of the late Esther Wojcik.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 9 AM at St. Mary's Church, Fairhaven. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Friday from 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
Irene's family would like to thank the staff of St. Luke's Hospital for their loving care.